St. Stephen's Day
Description:
On this day in the Italian city of Putiniano, known for its parade of papier-mache dolls, begins the carnival, which is the longest and oldest carnival in the world. Carnival begins on December 26 and ends on the last day of Maslenitsa.
The first written sources about this carnival date back to December 26, 1394. It begins with the ancient tradition of Propaggine. Propaggine is the ceremony of transferring the relics of St. Stephen from Monopoly to Putiniano. They are kept in the church of St. Maria of the Greca. During this religious procession, local peasants joined her with dancing, singing and reading poetry. That's how the carnival came about.
In recent years, thanks to huge decorated platforms, original satirical masks and picturesque carnival processions, the parade has become the main event of this holiday.
Interestingly, the platforms carry social or political messages; it is not a medieval procession at all. The symbol of the carnival is a character named Farinella. His suit consists of multi-colored patches, and small bells are sewn on the cap, shoes and collar. The name Farinella comes from the name of a special flour of peas and barley, which was the basis of the food of the peasants. During the ritual procession, the president of the Carnival Committee presents the president of the Committee, St. Stephen, Putiniano's patron saint, with a huge candle that he carries during the procession, as was the case in the old days.
The final procession of the carnival ends with a humorous funeral procession. Weeping for Mr. Carnival. An hour before the first day of Lent, the church bell rings. It's been hit 365 times. They deliberately call slowly, so that citizens have time to finally get mad and eat the remains of the fast and tasty. But as soon as the bell stops, the dancing and singing stop. A handful of ashes are sprayed over people’s heads at midnight as a sign that it is time to limit yourself.
MEGAtis: Votpusk.Ru